Two Million Australians Locked Down For 5 Days After One Person Got COVID

Over two million people in Western Australia will be under lockdown due to a single case of coronavirus in the city of Perth. Authorities said that a security guard who worked at a hotel that was being used as a quarantine facility showed mild symptoms and tested positive.

As a result, officials placed the entire city on "full lockdown," which means that most businesses, entertainment venues, places of worship, and schools will be closed for the next five days. Restaurants will not be allowed to offer in-person dining but will be able to provide delivery and pickup services.

"Western Australians have done so well for so long, but this week it is absolutely crucial that we stay home, maintain physical distancing and personal hygiene, and get tested if you have symptoms," Premier Mark McGowan said.

It was the first case in Western Australia outside of quarantine in nearly ten months. The state has recorded a total of 902 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and currently has 12 active cases.

Officials said that four people at the hotel had COVID-19. Two of the patients had the U.K. variant, and one had the mutated strain that was discovered in South Africa. Both strains are considered more contagious than the primary virus.

Authorities have identified 66 people who had close contact with the security guard, and they have all been ordered to quarantine for 14 days.

"This is a very serious situation, and each and every one of us has to do everything we personally can to help stop the spread in the community," McGowan said.

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